HL Deb 22 March 2000 vol 611 cc28-9WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that arms purchases by the Sudan are likely to be funded by the oil revenues of the Greater Nile Oil Company; and if so, whether they will make representations to the governments of China, Malaysia and Canada, whose companies are partners in it. [HL1529]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)

We have pressed the Government of Sudan to use their oil revenues for development projects and to show transparency in their oil accounts. They have given public assurances to this effect and we shall continue to monitor this expenditure as information becomes available. We have no evidence of such expenditure at present.

There is an EU arms embargo on the Sudan initiated in 1994, which is rigorously implemented by the UK and we expect it to remain for as long as the civil war continues.